Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Opens in Manhattan with Plans for Four Bakery-Cafes in 2012
February 08, 2012 // Franchising.com // ST. LOUIS, MO –  Panera Bread (Nasdaq: PNRA) announced the opening of its 1,500th bakery-cafe and its first in Manhattan.
The Company’s new location opened today at 330 Seventh Avenue at 29th Street. As well, Panera Bread announced three other Manhattan bakery-cafes that it expects to open in 2012. They will be located on East 86th Street, Fifth Avenue at 40th Street and Union Square.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating two milestones today – the opening of our 1,500th bakery-cafe, as well as Panera’s entry into the food mecca that is Manhattan,” commented Ron Shaich, Panera Bread Founder and Executive Chairman...

Salad Franchise Location Open at Plaza America Shopping Center, 11692 Plaza America Drive
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, is opening its second Virginia location, in the Plaza America Shopping Center, 11692 Plaza America Drive.
“Saladworks fits my healthy lifestyle perfectly. I truly believe in the product as well as the system, after all I am a salad fanatic.”
Saladworks is celebrating the grand opening of its Reston Virginia location by offering $5 salads for 3 days, February 11th, 12th and 13th.
The Reston Saladworks is owned and operated by Michael Lord, who spent 25 years in engineering before deciding it was time to go into business for himself...

New Collection of Mini Plush Stuffed Animals Available for a Limited Time
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2012-- Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today the continuation of its relationship with McDonald’s through the McDonald’s Happy Meal program. From February 10 through March 8, a new collection of Build-A-Bear Workshop mini stuffed animals will be featured in the McDonald’s Happy Meal. Guests who purchase a Happy Meal during this time period will also receive a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
This program marks the fourth collection of mini-plush Build-A-Bear Workshop furry friends to be featured in McDonald’s Happy Meals...

132 Room Hyatt Place Hotel Opens in West Raleigh Near RBC Center
February 08, 2012 // Franchising.com // RALEIGH, NC – Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Southern States Management today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center, one of the first LEED certified hotel buildings in the Raleigh area. 
As a part of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process, Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center boasts a variety of features intended to increase environmental sustainability, including:

Electric car charging stations
30 solar panels to generate hot water
LED lighting throughout the hotel, energy efficient HVAC systems, and motion activated thermostats in all 132 guestrooms
Energy efficient landscaping
Solar powered trash compactors
Hotel transportation van powered by butane gas

Business and leisure travelers alike will benefit from Hyatt Place Raleigh West/RBC Center’s location in a growing part of the Triangle, which is just minutes from the RBC Center, State Fairgrounds, downtown Raleigh, RDU airport, and Interstate 40...

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A 32-year-old waitress in Hollywood, Florida is on the move once again. This time she is organizing a massive jobs initiative that calls for big businesses to offer employment opportunities to the communities that have supported their success. Denny's Restaurants has taken the lead by partnering with The Rebuild Your Life Project, Patterson's empowerment outreach for women.
"I hope that other American big businesses decide to partner with The Rebuild Your Life Project," Patterson said. "This is a great way for big businesses to attract the type of employees that really want to contribute their skills and it helps to debunk the myth that large corporations do not care about the very people who have helped them to achieve their level of success...

Wing Lovers Delight
ATLANTA, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This Valentine's Day Hooters is sharing the love with fans of their world famous wings. All day on Tuesday, February 14th all guests who dine in at Hooters can enjoy 20 boneless wings, tossed in their favorite Hooters wing sauce, for $9.99.
The Hooters Girls are also helping out men who are struggling with what to get their significant others for Valentine's Day, offering some Valentine's Day gift giving suggestions in this video.
About Hooters of America
Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls...

CANTON, Mass., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with a newly formed subsidiary of Sizzling Platter, LLC (Sizzling Donuts, LLC) for 11 new restaurants in Denver, Colorado and eight new restaurants in El Paso, Texas. The company also acquired two additional existing restaurants in El Paso, TX.
Sizzling Platter, LLC is a restaurant management company, which operates restaurants located in seven states in the Mountain West, Southwest and Pacific Northwest under the Little Caesars, Sizzler, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Ruby River Steakhouse, and Hoppers Grill & Brew Pub brand names.
"We are excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' presence in Denver and El Paso and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," said Ted Morton, president & CEO, Sizzling Platter, LLC...

February 08, 2012 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO – Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced today that Avia The Woodlands, located 30 minutes north of Houston, TX, has officially changed its name to Hyatt Market Street, The Woodlands.
Located at Market Street, a premier shopping and entertainment destination filled with more than 90 luxury retailers and 17 restaurants, Hyatt Market Street, The Woodlands combines understated elegance with contemporary style.
The hotel’s 70 rooms and suites include a Classic Guestroom, Grand Suite, Lux Suite, Master Patio Suite and two Signature Presidential Hosting Suites. All rooms and suites include an array of amenities, including an in-room refreshment bar, modern bathrooms with walk-in showers, lush beds and fine linens, 42-inch flat panel televisions, alarm clock radios with MP3 docking stations with spacious work areas...

Panera Bread's 'Soup for the Soul' Campaign to Benefit Kids Against Hunger
CINCINNATI, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panera Bread is hosting the second annual Soup for the Soul campaign to benefit Kids Against Hunger. Throughout February at all southwest Ohio bakery-cafes, a portion of soup in a bread bowl sales will be donated to Kids Against Hunger, a family friendly program providing nutrient rich meals to local children and children in need around the world.
From February 1 – February 29 all southwest Ohio bakery-cafes will be participating in Soup for the Soul. Panera Bread guests will be encouraged to upgrade their soup purchases in order to help make a donation to Kids Against Hunger. Panera Bread has a variety of 10 soups on the menu, including the new All-Natural Sonoma Chicken Stew with Dry Jack Cheese Biscuit...

Restaurant Real Estate Representative and Restaurant Managing Partner Brings Extensive Experience to Growing "Fresh & Healthy Cuisine" Quick Casual Concept
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tossed®, home of garden fresh salads, crepe wraps, grilled panini and sandwiches, today announced the hiring of A. Michael (A.T.) Toroyan as Chief Development Officer. Toroyan, a 20-year veteran of the restaurant real estate, and franchising, will bring even greater momentum to Tossed's strong and growing franchise development efforts across the U.S.
Toroyan comes to Tossed Franchise Corporation from a previous post as managing partner of Station House Restaurants, a casual dine lobster/steak/seafood concept based in South Florida...

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in San Jose will celebrate its First Day of Business on Thursday, February 9th.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy Lu of Dickey's Barbecue Pit is celebrating his first day open in San Jose on Thursday, February 9th by giving the first 100 people a free pulled pork big barbecue sandwich.
"I can't wait to swing open my doors," said local franchise owner Jimmy Lu. "This will be my second store and I am extremely excited to serve San Jose authentic barbecue." Lu also owns and operates the Dickey's in Fremont.
This new store is located at 5391 Prospect Road. The hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The store phone number is 408-725-1619.
People are encouraged to check out this Dickey's facebook page at http://on...

Domino’s Pizza is giving Facebook fans the chance to preview their Boneless Ribs a week before the national launch.
(PRWEB UK) 8 February 2012 - Domino’s Pizza, the pizza delivery expert, is giving Facebook fans the chance to preview a new side order a week before the national launch.
From Monday February 6, 2012, Domino’s UK Facebook fans can try a portion of delicious new bite-sized spicy Boneless Ribs, served with a BBQ dip, for an exclusive promotional price of just £2.99. Simply log on to Domino’s UK Facebook page and click through to Domino’s ordering site where the Boneless Ribs will automatically be added to the customer’s checkout basket.
Simon Wallis, sales and marketing director at Domino’s Pizza, said: “We’ve now got over 400,000 fans on our UK Facebook page and to thank them for coming back to our page time and again, we wanted to give them a sneak preview of our new Boneless Ribs and enjoy them at a very special price...

The Filta Group, on behalf of its employees and franchisees, has made a charitable donation to the Orlando Regional Medical Center’s Burn Unit for the relief of burn victims. The company hopes to bring awareness to kitchen safety.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) February 08, 2012 - The kitchen is arguably the most dangerous place in home and commercial venues. It is the place where most accidents can occur due to the hustle and bustle of trying to get food prepared and out in a timely manner. With all this activity, adults and children are very susceptible to becoming burn victims. That is why Filta has decided to make a donation toward the Burn Unit at the Orlando Regional Medical Center in hopes of helping to relieve some of the financial stress associated with severe burn victims and shedding light on how to prevent the injuries...

Franchisees bullish on brand’s future.
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fazoli’s, America’s largest premium Italian quick-service restaurant chain, is off to a running start in 2012 with record same-store sales growth in January.
“It’s fantastic. If we can have the results we’re having in a down economy, we’re excited about what can happen when the economy really gets rolling”
Company units posted a 12.1 percent year-over-year increase, with franchisees reporting a 9.9 percent jump. It was Fazoli’s best January sales growth in its history.
This makes for the 19th straight month of sales improvement for franchised restaurants and the 18th continuous month for company locations...

CANTON, MA (February 7, 2012) – In the highly competitive U.S. coffee market, Dunkin’ Donuts is once again distinguished for brewing a superior guest experience. For the sixth straight year, Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, has been recognized by the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index as number one in customer loyalty in the coffee category.
The 16th annual national survey conducted by brand loyalty and engagement consultancy Brand Keys identifies brands that are best able to engage consumers by meeting or exceeding their expectations, which creates loyal customers. Brand Keys’ Customer Loyalty Engagement Index recognizes the brands that receive the highest loyalty and engagement assessments and surpass competitors for “delighting” customers...

Come eat $1 pulled pork big barbecue sandwiches and enter into a drawing to win free barbecue for a year.
PETAL, Miss., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Pit will be celebrating its grand opening this Friday, February 10th in Petal. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. customers will be able to buy $1 big barbecue southern pulled pork sandwiches and will have a chance to win free barbecue for a year.
Dickey's is located at 1225 Highway 42. The store phone is 601-602-3476. Dickey's is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
At the grand opening 95.9 WBBN will be there to entertain the crowd and to join in on all the fun. Customers will be able to enter into a drawing where three lucky people will win free barbecue for a year.
Dickey's Barbecue Pit opened its first location in Dallas in 1941...

DoubleTree by Hilton Panama City Welcome World’s Travelers to Latin America Gateway City and Upscale Hotel Brand’s Fast-Growing Global Hotel Collection
PANAMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DoubleTree by Hilton announces one of its newest Latin American hotel destinations -- the DoubleTree by Hilton Panama City. Located just steps from historic El Carmen Church between modern Panama City and The Old City, the newly transformed, 213-room hotel is situated along the Via España, just 20 minutes from Tocumen International Airport and 10 miles from the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal, within walking distance of the city’s premier dining, shopping, casinos and business centers.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “DoubleTree by Hilton is delighted to continue expansion of our Latin American presence by introducing another rewarding hotel experience with the DoubleTree by Hilton Panama City...

CANTON, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 16,500 restaurants in 60 countries around the world, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, today announced the appointment of international food-service and retail industry executive Giorgio Minardi to the position of President, Dunkin' Brands International. In this role, Minardi will be responsible for strategically expanding the presence of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins outside the United States and for delivering a consistent, but culturally relevant, brand experience for the Company's international customers. Minardi will report directly to Nigel Travis, Dunkin' Brands' Chief Executive Officer and President, Dunkin' Donuts, and will serve on the Dunkin' Brands leadership team...

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ:DENN) expects to announce financial and operating results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 28, 2011 on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 after the markets close. Senior management will hold a conference call on the same day at 5:00 p.m. (ET) to discuss these results and answer questions.
Interested parties are invited to listen to a live broadcast of the conference call accessible through the investor relations section of the Denny's website at ir.dennys.com. A replay of the call may be accessed at the same location later in the day and will remain available for 30 days.
For any questions, please contact Denny's Investor Relations Department at 877-784-7167...

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), announced today financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 25, 2011. Highlights for the fourth quarter versus the same period a year ago were:

Total revenue increased 34.5% to $220.5 million
Company-owned restaurant sales grew 36.4% to $202.9 million
Same-store sales increased 8.9% at company-owned restaurants and 5.9% at franchised restaurants
Net earnings increased 34.0% to $13.6 million from $10.2 million, and earnings per diluted share increased 32.7% to $0.73 from $0.55

Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our strong fourth quarter performance capped a tremendous year for Buffalo Wild Wings, which reflects the focused efforts and hard work of our franchisees and Team Members in providing sports fans with an outstanding guest experience...